POV Iris
The next day
— Are you sure you're okay?
Catherine's voice, my best friend, pulls me out of my thoughts.
— Yeah, I'm fine, I say, trying to manage a weak smile.
— You know I can tell right away when you're lying, right?
I sigh, lower my eyes to my plate before murmuring:
— It's my mom… Her health isn't getting any better.
Catherine frowns.
— She's worse?
— Yeah… I think it's worse than before. Yesterday, she coughed up blood. She keeps saying she's fine, but I know she's lying so I don't worry.
— That's just like your mom, Catherine says softly. You know ever since your dad left, Aunt Maria's done everything to protect you.
I nod.
— I know… But I need honesty, not protection. I want to be there for her, to support her.
— You already are, Iris. You're there, and that's what matters.
I look down, a lump forming in my throat.
— I just wish… she'd talk to me more. Let me share some of the burden. I'm not a kid anymore.
Catherine sighs, then her smile returns.
— You're way too tense, beautiful. Tonight, we're going out.
— What? No, I—
— Yes. We're going to dance, laugh, and get a little drunk.
— I'd like to remind you that I'm not eighteen yet. They won't let me in.
— Leave that to me, she says, giving me a wink. Finish your lunch, class starts in five minutes.
I nod, no appetite, staring at my already cold food.
Suddenly, my phone rings in my bag. I grab it quickly.
Aunt Victoria.
My mother's best friend. My heart starts racing.
— Hello, Auntie?
— Iris… can you come to the hospital right away? she says, her voice trembling.
A chill runs down my spine.
— What's going on? Is Mom okay?
Muffled noises echo behind her, then a beep. She hung up.
Without thinking, I grab my bag and bolt out of the cafeteria.
— Iris! Wait! What's going on?! Catherine shouts behind me.
— It's my mom!
She follows me instantly. We jump into the first taxi.
— Saint-Senior Hospital, please, hurry! Catherine says.
The ride takes fifteen unbearable minutes. Every second tears me apart. My mind imagines the worst.
When the taxi finally stops, I jump out before it even parks. Catherine pays the fare while I rush inside.
Aunt Victoria is pacing in front of a door.
— Auntie! What's happening?! Is Mom okay?
She looks up at me, her face stricken.
— The doctor's with her… She relapsed. They had to rush her into surgery. Her condition got worse suddenly.
I collapse onto a chair, breathless.
— Oh my God…
Aunt Victoria sits beside me, placing a hand on my back.
— Your mother's a fighter, sweetheart. She'll pull through.
Catherine arrives, out of breath. Before she can say anything, the door opens. The doctor steps out, gloves in hand.
I rush to him.
— Doctor! How's my mom?
He lowers his head. A heavy silence fills the corridor.
Then, in a quiet voice:
— I'm sorry.
And he walks away.
My world collapses. The floor seems to give way beneath my feet.
I run into the room. Two nurses are still moving around. One is covering my mother's body with a white sheet.
— Mom!
They step aside, leaving me alone.
I approach, trembling.
— Mom… why won't you answer me?
I lift the sheet, revealing her peaceful, frozen face.
A sob escapes me.
— You can't do this to me… You can't just leave me!
Tears stream down my face. I gently shake her body.
— Come on, Mom, wake up… Reassure me. Tell me everything's fine, that you'll scold me for crying for nothing.
But nothing. Just silence.
I collapse onto her, my cries muffled in the sheet.
— You promised you'd never leave me… Dad's gone, and now you too? You're going to leave me all alone?
A hand gently rests on my shoulder. I turn — Aunt Victoria.
— Tell her to wake up… please… she's always listened to you… I say.
Catherine, in tears, stands in the doorway.
I look back at my mother.
— We're here, Mom… Catherine's here, Aunt Victoria too… Please, wake up. I'll do whatever you want. I promise.
Still nothing. Just silence and cold.
Aunt Victoria slowly pulls me back and holds me tight.
— It's going to be okay, sweetheart… she whispers, stroking my hair the way Mom used to.
I cling to her, empty, shattered, praying for the pain to go away.
But it doesn't.